Silk-based Environmental Remediation and Sustainability Systems

This inventive concept leverages the unique properties of silk fibroin protein fragments to develop novel systems for environmental remediation, sustainable agriculture, water filtration, bioremediation of oil spills, and sustainable construction materials.

The original patent disclosed stable silk protein fragment compositions, primarily focused on medical applications. However, the environmental and sustainability sectors face significant challenges, including pollution, climate change, and resource depletion. This inventive concept addresses these limitations by applying the core technology to new, impactful areas.

The inventive concept encompasses a range of systems and methods that utilize silk fibroin protein fragments with specific average weight average molecular weights to tackle various environmental and sustainability challenges. For instance, compositions with molecular weights ranging from 6 kDa to 16 kDa can absorb and break down pollutants in contaminated soil and water, while those with molecular weights between 17 kDa and 38 kDa can promote healthy microbial growth and increase crop yields in sustainable agricultural systems. Other embodiments include membranes for water filtration, bioremediation systems for oil spills, and sustainable construction materials.

The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for silk fibroin protein fragments, departing from the original patent's medical focus. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of these protein fragments to address pressing environmental and sustainability challenges, and in developing specific compositions and systems tailored to these new applications.

Alternative embodiments could include silk-based systems for air purification, biodegradable packaging materials, or even biomedical applications in non-human animals. Variations of the inventive concept could involve combining silk fibroin protein fragments with other biopolymers or materials to enhance their performance and versatility.

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including environmental remediation, sustainable agriculture, water treatment, construction materials, and biotechnology. The market for these applications is substantial, with growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable solutions.